ICYMI - Charges Filed in Raritan Borough Fatal Crash Investigation

RARITAN BOROUGH, N.J. – Somerset County First Assistant Prosecutor Annemarie L. Mueller, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives Meredith McKay, and Raritan Borough Chief of Police Thomas Fisher announced the arrest of Siddartha Prasad Surapanani, age 18, Belle Mead, New Jersey in connection with a fatal accident that occurred in Raritan the morning of Monday, July 27, 2026.

First Assistant Prosecutor Mueller stated that on Monday, July 27, 2026, at 6:29 a.m., Raritan Police Department responded to the scene of a motor vehicle crash at the intersection of Route 202 and First Avenue. Upon arrival, officers observed a motor vehicle accident involving a Genesis SUV and Acura SUV. Initial on scene investigation determined that the collision occurred when the driver of the Genesis, identified as Siddartha Prasad Surapanani, crossed over the intersection of Route 202 and First Avenue against a red light ultimately striking the driver’s side door of the Acura SUV. The driver of the Acura, a female resident of Bridgewater, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Siddartha Prasad Surapanani fled the scene on foot and was subsequently apprehended by members of the Raritan Police Department. Surapanani was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

Further investigation yielded numerous reports of Surapanani driving erratically leading up to the collision to include driving in the wrong direction of travel on Route 202 at times.

Members of the Somerset County Collision Analysis Reconstruction Team along with members of the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and Raritan Police Department responded to investigate. Investigators from the Northern Regional Medical Examiner’s Office also responded to the scene. The investigation is currently ongoing pending the results of the Collision Analysis Reconstruction Team’s findings.

First Assistant Prosecutor Mueller stated on Monday, July 27, 2026, Siddartha Prasad Surapanani was arrested and charged with 2nd degree Vehicular Homicide. Defendant Surapanani was served with his complaint in a local hospital. Upon discharge from the hospital, defendant Surapanani will be lodged in Somerset County Jail pending a court hearing in this matter.

First Assistant Prosecutor Mueller, Chief McKay, and Chief Fisher request anyone with information relating to this investigation to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office at (908) 231-7100 or the Raritan Police Department at (908) 725-6700 or via the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ. Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477) or SCPO.TIPS. All anonymous STOPit reports, and tips will be kept confidential.

Note: The charges are merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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